A new study suggests that common diabetes medications, including Ozempic and Jardiance, may help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This research, published in JAMA Neurology, reveals that people with type 2 diabetes who take these drugs could experience a significant reduction in their chances of developing dementia.
The study analyzed data from more than 92,000 people with type 2 diabetes and found that two specific classes of medications had notable benefits in reducing dementia risk. These include glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), such as Ozempic and Wegovy, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), like Jardiance.
According to the findings, GLP-1RAs were linked to a 33% lower risk of dementia, while SGLT2is were associated with a 43% reduction. However, other diabetes medications did not show a similar effect on dementia risk.
The Connection Between Diabetes and Dementia
study highlights the growing concern of dementia, particularly as the global population ages. Despite years of research, a definitive cure for dementia remains elusive. However, existing treatments can help slow its progression. With this challenge in mind, some researchers are turning to medications that are already in widespread use to see if they can also reduce dementia risk.
Recent studies suggest that there are shared risk factors between type 2 diabetes and dementia, including inflammation and impaired insulin signaling in the brain. Individuals with diabetes are known to have a higher risk of developing dementia. This raises the question of whether diabetes medications could reduce the risk of dementia as well.
How the Study Was Conducted
To investigate this possibility, the research team examined health data from residents in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. They included 92,160 people aged 50 or older with type 2 diabetes. The participants were monitored until they either developed dementia or passed away.
- The study made three key comparisons:
- GLP-1RA vs. other diabetes medications
- SGLT2i vs. other diabetes medications
- GLP-1RA vs. SGLT2i
The results showed that both GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is were associated with a lower risk of developing dementia compared to other glucose-lowering drugs. GLP-1RAs were linked to a 33% lower risk, while SGLT2is were associated with a 43% reduction.
Expert Reactions
Dr. William Kapp, CEO of Fountain Life and a longevity expert, noted that while the results were not surprising, they lend additional support to the connection between metabolic health and brain health. “Metabolic problems like insulin resistance are linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and altered blood flow—all of which impact brain health,” he explained.
How Do These Drugs Work?
While the exact mechanisms behind these drugs’ ability to reduce dementia risk are not fully understood, researchers suggest that both GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is may offer protective benefits for the brain.
GLP-1RAs have been shown to reduce neuroinflammation, improve insulin signaling in the brain, and promote neurogenesis (the growth of new nerve cells). SGLT2is, on the other hand, may enhance cerebral blood flow, reduce oxidative stress, and improve mitochondrial activity. Both drugs are also linked to improved metabolic and vascular health, which can contribute to healthier brain function.
Some studies have also found that these medications may help reduce the levels of amyloid-beta and tau proteins in the brain—key markers of Alzheimer’s disease.
Conflicting Evidence and Future Research
While this study’s findings are compelling, a separate paper published in the same issue of JAMA Neurology casts some doubt. This paper, which reviewed 26 clinical trials involving over 164,000 participants, found that GLP-1RAs were linked to a reduction in dementia risk, but SGLT2is were not.
The researchers suggested that the lack of effect from SGLT2is could be due to the shorter duration of the studies. Alzheimer’s disease takes many years to develop, and the average follow-up time in these trials was under five years. Longer studies may be needed to see the full impact of these medications.
Dr. Kapp noted that while early data shows promise, “It’s still early, and we’re still not seeing all the long-term data.”
Conclusion
This study provides encouraging evidence that diabetes medications, particularly Ozempic and Jardiance, could play a role in lowering the risk of dementia. However, more long-term research is needed to fully understand how these drugs work in reducing cognitive decline and whether they can be used as part of a broader strategy to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
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